Military Flat Cars in HO Scale

[AlkemScaleModels]

We are taking orders on our latest kit, a model of the DODX 41000 series flat cars. See our web site for more info. www.alkemscalemodels.com
Also available are the military style chains to tie down the vehicles.

Thanks
Bernard Kempinski

[Miles]

Beautiful models! Nice to see some modern flatcars make it onto the modeling scene in HO.

[Philip H]

I like them.

Q on the tie-down chains - can you throw a Nscale rule on them and tell me how long the turn buckle part is?  I think these might work well for some High and Wides I want to do . . . .

[davefoxx]

Wow!  It took me a few seconds before I realized that was a model in the picture above.  Nice work, Bernie!

DFF

[AlkemScaleModels]

Phil,
If the internet gods permit it, this should be a full size version of the fret with the etched parts.

Bernard Kempinski

[jpec]

We saw about 20 of these pups last Saturday loaded with vehicles coming back from Afghanistan (?). Some vehicles looked reusable, some had flat tires and smashed glass and some looked like Godzilla had picked them up and slam dunked them.

Jeff

[AlkemScaleModels]

We saw about 20 of these pups last Saturday loaded with vehicles coming back from Afghanistan (?). Some vehicles looked reusable, some had flat tires and smashed glass and some looked like Godzilla had picked them up and slam dunked them.

Jeff

It didn't happen if you didn't get pictures! I hope you got some.

 Shipping battle damaged vehicles is a subject that is covered in my upcoming book, "Model Railroads Go to War."
Bernard Kempinski

[Ian MacMillan]

Like I said on the FB, I'm in for some of these.

[AlkemScaleModels]

Here is a Intermountain 60-flat car with a HEMTT tied down with Alkem Scale Models chains.



On this car I tried some heavy weathering to match car 41040 on rrpictures.net
Note the Alkem Scale Models chains laying on the deck. I crumpled and twisted them to lie on the deck. Only one twist is necessary. More than that could break the chain.

I used the sea salt technique to simulate the worn paint on the deck (yes I consulted Tom Mann's book). I added decals next and then a dilute over spray of white to fade the paint.

BTW this car was made using some of the pilot etchings. You may notice a few differences between it and the final model if you look closely.

[AlkemScaleModels]

Some tips on applying Alkem Scale Models decals. We suggest you use Future Acrylic Floor polish as the gloss coat and the setting agent. When using Future, the decals are nearly" fool proof." First spray or brush paint a thin coat of Future to the area you wish to decal. Let that dry for 15-20 minutes.
Then cut the desired decal film close to the lettering, but you dont have to be too close. The less extra decal film the better, but don't make the decal too small to handle. The extra film will disappear later.
Then put a drop of Future where you wish the decal to go. Apply the decal with tweezers or a toothpick. Once it is set, blot with a lint free rag. The Future dries in about 10 minutes. After waiting an hour or so, apply dullcote to the finished model. There is no silvering and the decal edges disappear. It is almost magic!
Note on the DODX decals there is white lettering that gets applied over black decal backgrounds. Apply the black decal first as described above and let it dry for about 10 minutes before doing the next layer decal.

[AlkemScaleModels]

Folks have asked if the Alkem Scale Models chains can be used on civilian loads. Yes, they can. They are used to secure construction equipment, MOW vehicles, farm equipment and other heavy loads. For example:


see http://alkemscalemodels.biz/chaintiedowns/ for more info